Story

Last year, my wife and I welcomed our awesome identical twin boys, Atlas and Finley.

After a complicated pregnancy, and the boys deciding to pop their waters a bit early, they arrived 6.5 weeks early and spent their first few weeks in the Neonatal Care Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

During that challenging, confusing and completely unknown time, one charity shone through for us and so many other parents in the same situation:

Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents (SSNAP)

SSNAP made a huge difference from day one. They fund so much of the practical and medical equipment that helps babies like ours, from specialist monitors to breast pumps, and in our case, a specialist twin cot. Their support has a direct, visible impact on families at a time when it matters most.

But what really stayed with us was the family support. Every morning, SSNAP volunteers came round with tea, coffee and breakfast for exhausted parents waiting for the doctors’ rounds. That small act of kindness lifted morale more than they’ll ever know. They were also there to listen, reassure, and offer compassion when everything felt overwhelming.

And their help didn’t stop when we left the hospital. Once the boys were home, SSNAP organised Little SSNAPlings classes; baby massage, baby yoga and more; completely free for families who’d been through neonatal care. It gave us a chance to meet other parents with similar experiences and build a real sense of community. They even run events like garden parties and dinners to keep that support network growing.

SSNAP also invests in the incredible neonatal staff, funding extra training, resources, and research projects to improve outcomes for premature and sick babies. Their impact is everywhere, and it keeps on giving.

And that’s why it’s my turn to give back

I’m taking on the Oxford Sky‑to‑Street Challenge for SSNAP, their two biggest annual fundraisers: a skydive high above Oxfordshire and the Oxford Half Marathon through the city centre.

After everything SSNAP did for Atlas, Finley and our family, it was a no‑brainer.

If you’re able to support, whether it’s 50p or £50, every donation genuinely makes a difference: from providing a croissant and a cuppa to a struggling parent, to helping fund specialist equipment, like a new twin cot, for babies who need it most.

Thank you so much for helping me give back to the charity that helped us through one of the most challenging chapters of our lives.

Thanks from, Atlas + Finley + Ashley